Authentic al pastor at Taqueria Los Parados

'Tower of meat' roasting on a vertical spit in Tacoma

Century-old beer returned to owner

Belly up to the bar for barrel-aged cocktails

The Imperial Dragon Chinese restaurant on 6th Avenue — operated by Dustin Luu, his sister My Luu and her husband Luan Nguyen — for 25 years closed Dec. 30, 2017. The building will be replaced by a multi-story condo building that will be the talles David Montesinodmontesino@thenewstribune.com

The Imperial Dragon Chinese restaurant on 6th Avenue — operated by Dustin Luu, his sister My Luu and her husband Luan Nguyen — for 25 years closed Dec. 30, 2017. The building will be replaced by a multi-story condo building that will be the talles David Montesinodmontesino@thenewstribune.com

Imperial Dragon’s menu offered the greatest hits of Chinese-American cuisine. The restaurant also focused on consistently friendly customer service, said Luu. The restaurant frequently hosted large parties and banquets.

Before his family took over the space and opened its restaurant, the building held the Chinese restaurant Empress Garden, Luu said.

The Towers, at 6805 Sixth Avenue, had been open for less then a month when this photograph was taken in January 1947. The Towers featured dancing to the music of the Sky Lighters in its circular Rainbow Room, and the Rose Room could be booked for private parties and banquets. Owned and managed by the Radonich family, the Towers went out of business in the late 1960s. After extensive remodeling, it reopened in 1971 as the Empress Gardens Restaurant.

Richards Studio Courtesy

However, he said, longtime Tacomans might be more familiar with the restaurant that originally operated there: The Towers Restaurant, an impressive entertainment venue and restaurant built in 1946.

The restaurant and its Rainbow Room were popular destinations for banquets, celebrations and live music.

Luu knew for a month the closure was coming, but hoped until last week that something would happen to save his restaurant.

Related stories from Tacoma News Tribune

This week, he’s looking ahead. The family has 30 days to clear the space.

He and My intend to take vacations with their families following the closure.

“I told my kids, Daddy will have more time with you,” Luu said. As for that vacation destination, “I have no idea,” Luu said with a laugh in a telephone conversation.

Just then, he was interrupted by a customer walking through the restaurant’s front door and asking why they were closing.

“A lot of people are calling, too, and I don’t know. I’m feeling so bad,” Luu said after returning to the phone.

The Imperial Dragon Chinese restaurant is operated by Dustin Luu and his sister My Luu and her husband Luan Nguyen. They've run it for 25 years. The building will be replaced by a multi-story condo building that will be the tallest building in the neighborhood.

David Montesino dmontesino@thenewstribune.com

“A lot of people have stopped by. They don’t want us to leave. Some people had their weddings here. Their children’s graduation parties. Their kids wanted to know, ‘Where do we go now?’ I just say, “I’m sorry.’ ”

He said he’ll be busy on the phone helping find new locations for those who booked the restaurant for banquets. He’s also been in contact with auction companies to sell some equipment.

The Luu family won’t rule out relocating the restaurant, but they have no immediate leads on a new space.

The longtime chef, who has been there since they opened, has said he will retire and other staffers have said they will take some time off before looking for new jobs. Luu said some employees are looking for work.